Blake Wetzel

Reporting 1

Professor Thomas

March 31, 2015

“You Can’t Always Believe What You Hear…Or See”

Blurb: The Adolphus is a historic landmark of Dallas and symbol of historical luxury. This

hotel boasts political, musical, and entertainment status as well as haunted hallways, but

you can’t always believe what you hear or what you “see”.

Rudolph Valentino graced the dance floor, Harry Houdini wrote a letter on the

hotel’s stationary during his stay, and Franklin D. Roosevelt even celebrated a birthday at

this historical landmark, but the residency of a jolted bride who hung herself and now

walks the halls of the 19th floor is highly speculated.

Since its opening in 1912, the Adolphus Hotel, located in the heart of downtown

Dallas, has remained an iconic building and tourist attraction. For the past hundred years

the hotel has boasted political, entertainment and musical prominence. While this image is

true and the historical importance of the hotel cannot be denied, its haunted history may be

a figure of imagination.

As the story goes, a young bride was left at the alter by her soon-to-be husband and

was so jilted that she hung herself where she was due to say her vows the following day.

Many employees tell the story of the ghost of the bride roaming the 19th floor, and some

guests claim witness to paranormal activity, while others characterize these events as

urban legend.

“In 30 years of working with the hotel I never saw one ghost,” said David Davis,

Adolphus employee.

Skeptical of the haunted stories Davis feels there is much more to the hotel than a

pointless fable. Not all employees share this same outlook though.

“Quite a few people believe that the hotel is actually haunted,” said Drake Odgers,

Adolphus Concierge.

He recalls complaints and testimonies from many guests and employees alike who

all claim to have heard or seen something out of the ordinary.

In one case, a woman woke up at 4:00 am to laughter outside her door, but no one

was to be found. The next night at exactly 4:00 am she woke up again, this time her

roommate had heard the laughter too.

On two other accounts guests reported being greeted by a man dressed in a tuxedo

who offered them an ice bucket. After they left their rooms though, the ice buckets

disappeared. According to employees no such man and no said ice buckets have ever

existed at the hotel.

Years back, a sight inspector visited the Adolphus and took a picture of a bright

white figure sitting on the end of his bed which he later showed to surprised employees.

One housekeeper even claims to this day that she can hear music playing from the

roof of the ballroom late at night.

But with each story comes an equal and opposite denial of its validity:

“Nineteen years I worked in housekeeping. I would go up at night to see, but I never

actually saw the haunted, “ said Darlene Kirks, Adolphus PBX Operator.

Despite these controversies and differences in opinion however, the Adolphus hotel

remains an intriguing establishment. Once referred to as the grandest building west of

Venice, the establishment remains one of the few of its kind in the Dallas area.

After 100 years the hotel is seeking renovations in order to restore its prominence

and continue modernizing to fit the needs and wants of clients and guests. The renovation

currently under way will include the installation of a spa and swimming pool.

This coming Monday the hotel will also welcome it’s first female General Manager,

yet another aspect of the hotel’s transformation.

“The hotel will probably become a mecca for the entertainment industry again

following these renovations,” said Odgers.

Until then, generations of guests will continue to enjoy their stay at the Adolphus

thanks to its history and long-time staff that are familiar not only with the hotel itself, but

its reoccurring, loyal guests.

Contact list

David Davis, Adolphus Employee: ddavis@adolphus.com

Darlene Kirks, Adolphus PBX Operator: dkirk@adolphus.com

Drake Odgers, Adolphus Concierge: dodgers@adolphus.com (214) 651-3540